Q: Today, India successfully launched its Mars orbiter, the 1st Asian country to do so. What is your comment on the launch? Does China see any room for working with India on space exploration in the future?
A: We have noted relevant report. We congratulate India on its successful launch of the mission Mangalyaan into the Mars orbit. This achievement is the pride of India, as well as Asia, and also represents a major step in humanity's peaceful exploration and utilization of outer space.
China is committed to peaceful utilization of outer space, and supports international cooperation in this area. We maintain that the international community should work together to promote peaceful utilization of outer space, uphold enduring peace and sustainable development of the outer space.
Q: A Chinese fishing boat was reported to be detained by the DPRK. Could you confirm that?
A: We have noted relevant reports. We are now trying to get more information on that.
Q: Why does China prevent Ai Weiwei from attending his art exhibition opened in San Francisco this week?
A: I am not aware of relevant specifics. China is governed by the rule of law. Relevant departments regulate the entry and exit of Chinese citizens in accordance with the laws and regulations on the administration of entry and exit.
Q: The US State Department condemned China's sentencing of Ilham Tohti to life imprisonment. What is China's response to that?
A: As for the Ilham Tohti case, the facts are clear and the evidence is definite. The details of this case have already been released. China's judicial authorities sentenced him to life imprisonment for separatism in accordance with the Criminal Law. The trial of this case is conducted strictly according to the law, and his rights are fully guaranteed as is prescribed by the law.
Some countries wave the banner of "democracy" and "human rights", take advantage of the Ilham Tohti case to point fingers at China, and even raise the absurd request of his "release". That is gross and unreasonable interference in China's internal affairs and judicial sovereignty. China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to that. We have lodged solemn representations with relevant countries, and urge them to immediately discard "double standards" and stop their wrong doing of interfering in China's internal affairs.
Q: Some people drew an analogy between Ilham Tohti and Nelson Mandela. Does China agree with that? Is China's sentencing of Ilham Tohti a part of China's campaign against terrorism?
A: Mr.Mandela is widely known as South Africa's hero fighting against apartheid. Ilham Tohti is a convicted criminal who incites ethnic hatred sentenced by China's judicial authorities for separatism. There is no way that these two people can be mentioned in the same breath.
I would like to remind you that no country would tolerate words or deeds that incite ethnic hatred, foment national separatism, and disseminate and encourage violence and terrorism. I believe your country is no exception.